Kubica a rival for Lewis again

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Hamilton will start from third on the grid, after McLaren Mercedes mechanics worked until 4am yesterday to rebuild his car for him after his heavy shunt on Friday.

Scroll down to read more:

He seemed unaffected by the accident — "I was faster today than yesterday through turn five where the crash happened," he said — but he had to concede a maiden pole position to Kubica's BMW Sauber, with Ferrari's Felipe Massa claiming the other position on the front row.

Hamilton said: "Robert was phenomenally fast in karting. He's now won his first pole, and I was happy for him.

"We look like we're going to be pushing one another in Formula One, just as we did in karts. But, typically, when I congratulated Robert he moaned: 'It was a terrible lap'."

Hamilton, three points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld after two rounds of this year's world championship, said: "The guys worked until early this morning preparing the car, so a big thank-you to them."

Hamilton will start from the side of the track likely to offer more grip, and he said: "We have a good strategy, and I'm confident."

Kubica and Heidfeld, who will begin from sixth position on the grid, have illustrated that BMW Sauber have to be considered serious title rivals to Hamilton, who said: "It looks like it's going to be a three-way battle. BMW have made a big step forward."

Raikkonen, Ferrari's reigning world champion, lurking beside Hamilton on the second row, warned last night: "I think tomorrow, when points are up for grabs, I will be very strong."

Britain's Jenson Button was ninth on the grid for Honda.

THE GRID - Bahrain Grand Prix

1 R Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber

2 F Massa (Brz) Ferrari

3 L Hamilton (GB) McLaren

4 K Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari

5 H Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren

6 N Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber

7 J Trulli (Ita) Toyota

8 N Roseberg (Ger) Williams

9 J Button (GB) Honda

10 F Alonso (Spa) Renault